5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Sim Racing

[@cleanculture8286]

One last tip I'd like to add; ALWAYS check the replay before pointing blame, you never know what the situation looked like from the other perspective.

[@RadeticDaniel]

True story. My situation awareness was from always watch race replays from the viewpoints of near-by cars and not my own. I had some habits that would piss me off if I saw someone else doing it 😅 But from my own camera either onboard or chase mode, it wasn't noticeable. Specially weaving before corners to help turn in, which was slow, because I was weaving way more than I realized

[@cleanculture8286]

@@RadeticDaniel great example

[@veeembee]

100% this

[@Decebalus]

I'm a bit late but I couldn't agree more with this. I had two incidents in my first couple of weeks of iRacing that taught me this. The first one was getting absolutely cleaned up by someone who had apparently just not braked for a corner and slammed into me, but when I watched the replay I saw he'd actually been pushed wide by someone else, got on the grass (the old iRacing ice grass) and been a passenger. Then a couple of days later I was going down the back straight at Tsukuba in an MX-5 side by side with someone else and they drifted across the track, hit me, and we crashed. However the replay showed that actually they'd not really moved at all and instead I was doing the classic 'look at the other car next to you and start turning towards it' thing. I was pretty happy I hadn't blown up at them in the chat because that would have been very embarrassing. And of course watching the replay is great for learning from other peoples' mistakes and spotting your own.

[@docmain999]

@@RadeticDanielthis, i’ve been realizing how much ive been blocking down akina cus i thought i made the smallest adjustment

[@smokeymchaggis73]

I think one of the main things I wish I knew earlier, but found out quickly, was to stay away from anyone with a Red Bull livery 😆

[@LouPara]

Honestly even I as a Redbull fan i consider them to be kamikaze

[@fjnemo]

Toxic driver alert right there lol never go wheel to wheel with them. They don’t drive like Max after 2018 🤣

[@DukeTheRebel]

And then you quickly regret that when you lose to somebody who races you fairly

[@rubalouba]

@@DukeTheRebel so you prefer to loose to some jerk than fair competition?

[@Kiwing827]

Red Bull/ Mercedes/ Senna livery, they all think they are legends...

[@TheMineA7]

The biggest thing that helped me was using a controller just on a regular non-sim racing game. It helped confirm I actually enjoy it. Then got a logitech wheel & pedal a couple years later. cockpit another year later & now a direct drive wheel a couple more years later. You don't need to go all out from the get go. Make sure you enjoy racing & driving first.

[@yeetmeme6027]

I recently got into cars 1 year ago because I got board of shooter games and wanted to play most wanted 2012 on the 360 but couldn't so I searched up racing games and got into it from there

[@achilleconte4385]

I'm still using a controller on Assetto Corsa, GTR2 and Gt Legends and I'm still having a lot of fun. It's not the most precise way of driving but it's certainly doable.

[@kvykimo]

despite playing videogames for a long time i never found cars, racing and racing games to be particularly interesting until two years ago august ive randomly decided to buy fh5 and played it exclusively on keyboard for nearly 600 hours. after getting bored of constantly having to play a guessing game of "will the guy im overtaking ram me or not" i jumped ship and bought AC, a t300rs, and a random aliexpress shifter. its been a blast with all the mods! i even started following some racing events around the world too im very happy that i made that random decision in 2022!

[@HouseofGausss]

I thought assetto corsa on controller was unplayable@@achilleconte4385

[@blackframes5658]

i have been playing with a controller for one and a half years now and im going to buy my first wheel in a few weeks im super excited i used to play forza with controller that was fun but now i wanna do more professinally so i started acc but its so hard with a controller so i decided to buy a wheel

[@vwbr3nt]

Having a rigid frame is absolutely the game changer here. Love you Jimmer

[@blakeo9281]

Oh for sure 100%. I just got a cockpit and the constistancy in my braking has increased a lot even though I’m still using potentiometer pedals

[@Xirpzy]

I wish I had more space to get a proper setup. I live in a house but we have so much stuff all over the place. Tough to not have the pedals fixed.

[@perezadotarts]

​@@Xirpzy I have my setup (first time getting into sim racing) in a cramped dorm room, so I had to skip out on the fancy mounts and settle for the foldable stand + plastic chair combo for portability 😅 It's not much but I'm having fun with it so far lmao

[@SvenBout]

I sit on a desk chair thar rolls backwards. And have my guitar pedal board against the wall. And the pedals againt the pedalboard so that it doesn't get pushed back when i press the brakes.

[@JacobWhittingham-qn5ts]

frame recomendations? i ran some decent times on a desk mounted thrusmaster T128 and just got a FFB wheel so looking at something more rigid

[@zKaltern]

New to iRacing? Top tip. Don't try to win. In fact, don't even bother trying to qualify. Start from the back. Not only is it a good way to learn your way up the field, by watching how others are driving, and, if the opportunity appears, you can go for a clean overtake - it'll also help with your Safety Rating - if you just race clean, and learn to avoid the inevitable pileups, you'll slowly understand the way iRacing works. Once you can consistently lap without mistakes and at a similar time, then you can try to qualify higher - and then do the same process all over again. It's how I'm currently learning and while INCREDIBLY frustrating when you're taken out through no fault of your own, you also start to understand that you cannot fight with other players who simply don't understand racecraft - because they're probably still learning too - and unfortunately have not yet reached the level of patience and understanding. And remember.. no matter how good you are, you'll likely never reach those insane laptimes set by the aliens of the racing world. Don't worry about it. You'll rarely be put in a split with these people so just run your own race, at your own race pace, and just enjoy the rush of taking part.

[@edwinvandenberg3633]

You are spot on. That is how i began and work my way up to B class.

[@jmundiify]

Started from the back yesterday in an ff1600 race at VIR and finished 3rd I only passed 2 cars on track the rest spun out or crashed. And that was a 3rd split race

[@zKaltern]

@@TheMasterShotsBooks Haha yes, once the lights go out and the heart rate inexplicably rises, you suddenly feel like you can win! It'sall about self control I believe. I mean, once you're confident, go for the overtakes. But think about the NEXT corner - will you be in a position to keep it if you overtake now.. that sort of thing. Winning is only important once you can race consistently.

[@lagos4312]

Switching to that mindset made the game much more enjoyable and actually made my iRating rise by hundreds in a few weeks

[@0-60STYLE]

People race long before they know how to drive unfortunately.

[@SuellioAlmeida]

Great video Jimmer! These couldn't have been better points! Particularly the fifth, for me, starts being more and more important since Sim Racing has become my job. We achieve the dream of getting paid to do it, we get that burst of momentary joy, but if we don't remember do enjoy ourselves during the journey when you have obligations to do it every day, it can become a little bit dangerous. Always enjoy yourselves while sim racing, folks!

[@robolom1]

Seeing YOU coment here makes me even more proud of you both. Keep up the good work

[@JLewisRacing927]

The biggest piece of advice I have for others when it comes to learning or getting into sim racing is: Always assume you played a part in any incident you're in. We are all human, we make mistakes, we do things we didn't intend on doing. Whether you hit someone or someone hit you, it's good practice to reflect and see *if* you could have done anything differently. Not everything can be avoided, sometimes it's just hard racing or "that" guy, but it's good to see if you could have improved the situation if you had done something different. Also, apologize if you were in the wrong, falling on the sword isn't fun, we all know it sucks, but saying sorry when you are wrong(on track or voice/text chat post incident...) is just human decency. WE all want to have fun, let it be fun and move on from things. I'm guilty of all of this myself, and constantly have to remind myself to be a good human no matter the situation or frustration level.

[@docmain999]

even if it wasn’t your fault it’s good to go back and learn so you can stay out of those situations

[@Astroman10]

One tip you forgot is: Learn when to take a break! Especially from competitive racing! Kind of goes with have fun but also sim racing is physical. Therefore, the body needs rest to recover. A driver can loses seconds simply from fatigue!

[@robolom1]

I always say that to people that sit on my "rig" to have fun with virtual cars - Remember to take breaks! You WILL get tired at some point.

[@DunkdaHunk]

I took part in a special 3 hour event and it was exhausting by the end. Found pace at the end when I was chasing my mate down, but my arms and legs were grumbling.

[@Jon032391]

Physical? R u serious, go workout bruh

[@Astroman10]

@@Jon032391 I do …

[@Astroman10]

@@Jon032391 question: why are you in this comment section?? Have you ever sim raced??

[@SimRacingKnightmare]

Jimmy, I absolutely love the sincerity and honesty in this video. Too many people need the reminder that despite everything, at the end of the day these are games. That doesn't mean people should just go on track and start driving like a knob. They just need to understand that not everyone takes it as seriously as they do.

[@Daz5Daz]

My top tip. Being immersed in sim racing is more fun than winning. Focus on immersion more than lap times.

[@jacobhoekstra1360]

Going from full assists to 0 assist is what gave me a somewhat comfortable learning experience. Slowly taking the assists away and learning what it means to the car is what also gave a betger understanding in some way. Totally agree with you on the assists, especially for new racers

[@k24impreza]

I agree with starting cheap and upgrading as you go. I’d also recommend building some or all of the setup. This way you can make it comfortable for you, and it’s cheaper, so more money for hardware or in game stuff (iRacing). Get a used comfortable seat from the junkyard (or your garage), some lumber and metal, and build a simple rig setup.

[@Michael_Ruiter]

Yup, a good rig does wonders even for a Logi wheel. For awhile I had to downgrade to a logi wheel mounted on my ASR1 and it was still loads of fun. It’s most important to get your seating position right, as you are comfortable, don’t get back pain, and get really good stability.

[@StigDesign]

yes and cheap usb controller for making buttons works properly works too, am in the process of making car/truck rigg hehe :D

[@XxKidnoffxX]

I don't really agree here. Buying something cheap and used has more chance to upset you than showing the real fun and potential you can have with a 'real' simracing setup. Of course if money is a big issue, it's something else... I personally always buy the best Pc on market, aswell as the best simracing setup I can. Right now i'm looking to clean a room in my basement to do a real simracing room with my 2nd Pc and looking for the suspension thing.

[@888PsyMike888]

Three years ago I bought some secondhand stuff: the TGT 2 steering wheel, T-LCM pedals and the TH8A shifter. I built my own rig of wood I had lying around. Then bought a driver's seat at the junkyard. And finally, I made a custom handbrake that pushes a button on the wheelbase. Wheel + pedals: €475 Shifter: €100 Seat: €50 Handbrake: €10 Rig: €15 Total cost: €675

[@XxKidnoffxX]

@@888PsyMike888 impressive. But why you dont calculate the time you spend to find everything and build it? I mean, personally 1 day of work during a week end give me more than 700$...

[@fredrikoscarsson8596]

I started with a PS1 with controller in front of the TV in 1998 and have gone on to a full rig today. I am 51 now and I still love it. I am not the best out there but I am truly enjoying it ❤️

[@malonama]

Ive only been simracing for a year but i noticed that i enjoy organising historic races and events even more that driving myself, mainly because i found a group that is just passionate about driving anything from 1950's sportscars ,1960's endurance to 1970's trans am/formula cars and seeing them battle in historic cars is just amazing. There are also so many options thanks to many wonderfull modders in the sim community that, if you want to drive something from any age, there is atleast 1sim that has what you want.

[@DonUschi92]

I progressed from Logitech to Thrustmaster to Fanatec DD. No regret for any of the purchases. I don't race at all really and I drive rarely, but when I do I enjoy it a lot. Back then, mostly with my brother together with Mojitos. The only place where it is totally OK to drink and drive. Now with friends where we cook, eat, chat and race in turns offline for time and fun. Mostly road like tracks and mostly road cars. Actually the most impact of accessibility for me was piano roller discs to lock my office chair to a place, a wheel stand which is sturdy enough and easy to move infront of the office table and away and then the fanatec system which allows to connect everything with only one single usb cable. A fixed rig with a real car seat would be nice, but I wouldn't want to invest the space and money for all the stuff including a nice monitor setup something like 3x55". I wanted to do that with VR but I'm too sensible for motion sickness. Awesome for feeling the space and dimensions but I prefer not having something making me sick and fogging up my glasses. ^^

[@Toolace]

Funny to hear you mention sim racing with mojitos. I’m currently in college and recently had the idea to have a “drunk driving simulator”. It functions as both a cautionary tale and reminder as to why it’s obviously unsafe to drink and drive. But it also served to scratch that itch of “What if” curiosity some people had in an environment that wouldn’t actually get anyone hurt. Only problem with this idea is people weren’t usually very good at driving the sim rig even when sober. Usually they wouldn’t pick up on the sense of speed and would try turning into a corner going super fast and being like “why isn’t the car turning??” Since they’re used to arcade games. I’d then ask them, “have you ever tried taking a turn out on the road going over 100 mph?” Then it finally clicks to them lol.

[@DonUschi92]

@@Toolace I can’t tell we learned anything but drinking and driving is fun. We’re okish on an amateur level and crash occasionally when on the edge when sober and so we do drunk. 🤭 times don’t change much so that you could tell it’s because of drinking.

[@AshA-pp3ts]

Tip 6 is to dye your hair Super Saiyan blonde and find a group of like-minded friends who will also dye their hair Super Saiyan blonde!

[@RACECAR]

Its the only way to truly harness that Kenergy.

[@TheTobes99]

SuperSayajimmer

[@mattjkv47]

Having fun is the most important. I love setting up massive grids with AI and just enjoying the chaos whilst also trying to race sensibly and improve myself (50 cars around Brands GP on AC in mixed classes teaches a lot of looking ahead and avoidance lol)

[@ThePhantomElement]

I’m new to sim racing. I ordered a Fanatec DD extreme wheel base 15 Nm of torque and a TracRacer Alpine Racing TRX cockpit. Building my computer now

[@Mr619usc]

Bought my son a Logitech G29, Playseat Trophy, Logitech Shifter (which he never used), PS5, and a dedicated 55in Walmart TV. He’s very much happy with his setup and always remind me that he plays for entertainment, not competition. 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@DaleyRetro]

Really good points Jimmer, I love Sim Rallying, first investment was a G29 with AXC brake mod & Playseat Evo for around £500. After driving it to death and reaching its limits for 2.5 years, I finally took the plunge on a Fanatec DD1 Setup with GT Omega Prime rig for around 3k, first local motorclub rally event, I won it, after coming second to the same guy for ages (he had a DD1 also) was such a good feeling and really justified the expense.

[@omniscient420]

I just picked up the R3 bundle. Beyond excited to start the hobby.

[@BodeTV]

That controller image 💀

[@Betzilla]

🌚💀

[@Sniperkitten971]

That was deep

[@09corvettezr1]

@@Sniperkitten971 a little too deep

[@MCKL8]

@@09corvettezr1 So deep it might implode...

[@catnipherb]

That was deep! Deep enough for force feedback implosion. 😬 I sincerely hope your sim-rig doesn't implode under that much FFB pressure.

[@RyansRoadToRally]

Well...this is exactly what I need in this exact moment, so a big fat hairy *thank you* to you, sir.

[@xdtjv2843]

The timing is immaculate

[@sometimesidreamaboutcheese]

I have no experience at sim-racing with a proper gear, but i played in rFactor even at keyboard at some point with assists (assists are not bad and very helpful at various times and conditions!) and even did some group B mods for rFactor. But i had huge experience with air-sims back in the day (and started from keyboard+mouse (yes,keyboard,yes,air-sims) to various joysticks) and I should agree with Jimmy about most important thing: DONT AFRAID TO ASK. I've never met so kind and respectful community as it was back in the days in air-sims and I'm sure it is totally applies to sim-racing too. The more hardcore sim -> the more kind and understanding people you can meet there who would share their passion and their knowledge. Because sims are require more from people and newcomers are even more welcome because of that too.

[@Ryan-py9lj]

I would always advise against using line assists only for the fact that it's easy to focus on the line rather than braking points, however it depends how deep you want to go in understanding and learning a track.

[@pkscarr]

racing line's fine for learning a track to start with but yeah, eventually you need to learn to not tunnel-vision onto it. especially once you get into multiplayer races, if your eyes are locked on that line you're not seeing what other cars are doing around you, and that's a recipie for causing crashes that didn't need to happen

[@Ryan-py9lj]

I guess it probably depends on the type of learner you are so maybe I'm being overly critical of that. I just feel it's easier to force yourself into learning the track naturally than looking at the line on the road and never really understanding where to brake until you turn the line off.

[@Johnnyynf]

For me no assist and old car is to lern how mechanical grip works

[@TheRealTyphon]

I almost always learn and race with the line on. I see how fast I can be with the what the line tells me then use that as my foundation to build upon and try different things. My favorite track Suzuka on IRacing is a good example. There are many points of that track where I am just straight up not even on the racing line, but that change I found was indeed faster.

[@NorthStarBlue1]

Most sim racing games nowadays have the option to only display the braking areas, which I tend to keep on just as a reference since as you get more comfortable with a car and track you'll learn to brake later into those areas safely.

[@gfys707]

I like that, try out different simulators. I really wanted to be one of the fastest on GranTurismo and realize it felt to be a long chore, possibly achievable, but still a long road to my goals. I tried ACC, then F1 and even speed bikes, then finally got the simulator I am amazing at, Rally and any rally game. It's a perfect fit, and I managed to hit the top 20 in the world for the fastest times in my first year playing Rally sims. Jimmy is right. Test different sims until you find what you enjoy the most, I live and breathe Rally now with zero regrets about switching my goals in sim racing. I still go back to GT7, but it is no longer my main goal.

[@jamiepoulton5584]

Very similar thoughts/situation myself lol,have really tried to like other racing games but rally for me is unmatched.Have been console only but will be picking up a pc later in year to try rbr as that's only one I haven't tried.What is your favourite rally game if you have one ?

[@thomaswp2706]

“It’s Ok to use Assists” r/simracing: I am going to pretend I didn’t see that

[@simplevoicereviewssvr6418]

Lol

[@Excludos]

Disliked, unsubscribed, unringed the bell, sent an angry worded letter, and had a meltdown on Twitter. Absolutely unacceptable!

[@simplevoicereviewssvr6418]

@@Excludos 🤣🤡

[@RadeticDaniel]

My favorite setting regarding this is how Assetto Corsa handles thinga in (on, off, factory). I used to search if a car had or not tcs, abs, stability assists and so on. Setting everything to factory is cool as it gets for switching between cars and not feeling it weird 😁

[@ThaJay]

@@RadeticDaniel I agree and then you can tune the settings within factory realism in the setup menu

[@JReaLBiz86]

1. I still use a CSL Elite wheel. I'll be upgrading soon, but with moderate ffb and 900 degrees rotation, as well as load cell pedals, it does the job. Better gear is more immersive, not faster. 2. I'm "somewhat" of a purist, but I used to use the racing line A LOT in Forza Motorsport. Mainly because I wasn't familiar with many of the tracks. But assists, especially the ones the actual drivers use, are always welcome. 3. I've been into racing a long, long time. So I like to be the guy to help people with setups or driving technique. I'm a couple seconds off the best of the best out here, but I'm consistent, and I can cut a damn good lap if need be. Thankfully the sim racing community, for the most part, is very welcoming. Learn from others. 4. I'm building my simulator collection currently. I usually only drive 2 of them (AC and ACC), but I have 8-9 different sims, and at least 3 others I plan on getting. Trying different sims, you may find one that suits your style. 5. That one's easy. It's racing. I'll always enjoy it. Sometimes it's tough, sometimes it's frustrating, but as Jimmer said, such is life itself. So find the good in it. There's always a silver lining. And just have fun!

[@DannyPhilipsen]

I have dabbled a bit in sim racing for a few years now. There are a few games I play: Assetto Corsa, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Project Cars 2, NASCAR Heat 5, F1 and Forza Horizon, and it's a lot of fun. I am currently playing with a gamepad, but I really want to get a wheel and pedal set. I think that'll be my goal for the end of this year

[@CadJuice]

3:00 JIMMY NO, NOT THAT CONTROLLER!!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂💀 4:22 AND ONE OF THE BEST CULT CLASSIC FILMS?!?! Whoever edited this, deserves a goddamn trophy.🏆

[@artsmart8759]

I started with a Moza R5 package with brake mod. Feedback through my folding racing chair is enough to vibrate the chair across the floor. Have added one high quality wheel. Very reasonable outlay to find out if this is for me.

[@Erowens98]

Small correction about force feedback. Even if you only want to feel a peak output of 5Nm of torque, there are still advantages to going much higher. 1. Higher torque means you can use a larger diameter wheel without losing too much feedback. A larger diameter wheel will give you more leverage so you need more force for the same result. 2. Higher torque increases the wheels Jerk and acceleration ability. With lower torque wheels, often times your wheel will actually lag behind what the game is telling it to do. Especially when something snappy like a slide is happening. Which is why lower torque wheels are typically more difficult to drift with. Higher power motors have an easier time keeping up. This is why in real world drive by wire systems, the feedback Motor is typically in the range of 60Nm. Dwarfing even the beefiest consumerFFB wheels. So ideally, get the most powerful motor you can afford, then limit its output. Even if you only want 5Nm of torque.

[@smallbutdeadly931]

I don't really care if I'm faster or not on my DD wheel than on a controller or force-feedbackless wheel All I care about is that the experience feels as close to the real thing. I want to be driving a car, not controlling one using a remote (unless I'm playing arcade racing games)

[@Very_Grumpy_Cat]

Same with me. I like to come as close to a rl car as my budget can get me. Rn I have a moza r12 and it is fantastisk fun

[@edjunker]

I think the big thing that most people seems to miss is that these, at their core, are games and should be fun. If it's not fun, why are you doing it?

[@_RobertS]

Sadly, some people seem to think winning is the only way of having fun. These are the people that use all kinds of cheats, to pretend that they are winning I guess. You will see them in all kinds of games, including racing.

[@edjunker]

@@_RobertS Lots of truth here. I love racing and don't care how I finish. I just want a good clean battle. Was the case when I was racing motorcycles and rings even more true in ACC and iRacing.

[@Anthiea_]

i see this way to much nowadays, people not playing a game to have fun, but to win. and getting *way* to upset at it when they dont kinda sad to see actually, someone not being able to enjoy a hobby that there into because of some minor thing

[@edjunker]

@@Anthiea_ Another excellent point.

[@Franky_1984]

​@@edjunkerif you're not getting paid for do it, do it only if you enjoy. Like you say, it apply on sims but also real racing.

[@raoulb69]

Good point on the controller being 'not rubbish'. I play a lot of GT7 and the haptic feedback from DualSense L2 and R2 buttons is brilliant for letting you know when you've locked up or lost traction. I have a Logitech G29 and the pedals don't give you that feedback. In terms of driver aids though... Not for me. I guess it's realistic if you're driving a Benetton from 1994...

[@thedstroyer462]

Jimmy's channel= Racing advice: check Life advice: check Wholesome content: check Please no punterino Jimmer!

[@AB-mw8oz]

What a lot of people complain about is controller users saying it's unplayable. I've played Iracing on a controller since last summer, and right now saving up for a Moza R3. I'm not dangerous on a controller, I can hold my own on a controller. And most importantly, I have fun. Don't let people gate keep

[@ijustsawthat]

Don't worry, the most amount of time will be spent on research, install and troubleshooting the mods and apps, not actually racing.

[@texnorthman]

Slightly different take - I got a G923 in 2020, almost never got started with simracing because I really didn't enjoy it. Returned it, bought a Fanatec ClubSport 2.5, enjoyed it a LOT more. Then I upgraded to a CSL DD 8Nm, enjoyed everything even more again! And now, I'm using an Asetek Invicta wheelbase which honestly is bloody amazing. Sure, there are people out there that are faster than me with a G29, but I would not be as fast as I am with a G29 because I would have quit a long time ago. So, if you come from real driving, and have either raced, done track days, or generally are good at driving in real life, a G923 will not be a good place to start.

[@100mostlyauthentic]

thanks for that comment man. I've also done a lot of driving irl and found the g series completely un drivable and have wondered whether the dd wheels were worth the gamble.

[@texnorthman]

@@100mostlyauthentic A DD wheel will feel so so much better. The CSL DD was a great starting point, and the only reason I upgraded was the slightly creaky quick release. I would say if you want to "buy once cry once" go for something with at least 12 Nm. That'll give enough head room to avoid clipping even if you like a fairly heavy wheel.

[@ilmariylitalo8427]

@@100mostlyauthentic It really is a night and day difference with g-series and ANY DD. If you can comfortably afford an upgrade, it's so worth. Like kullsyre said, go with something >10-12Nm and it's pretty much all the power you can ever need. 8Nm is borderline, 5Nm is too weak. hi-end stuff of 20Nm or so are really not for the max torque but incredible speed and feedback of the wheel, but something with half the power will be very, very close to the experience. Also try VR if possible, personally I'd rather downgrade my simucube to g920 than abandon VR for screen setup, if I had to choose just one.

[@kieranoreilly1198]

@@texnorthman Ive always been quick on racing games so now being older and having the funds i thought id take sim racing seriously. I got the TM T248 to start of with as i thought this would be enough and jesus it’s terrible if not un drive able at a competitive level. There is no immersion or connection what so ever apart from a slight FFB and a few bumps which feel awful anyway. These are the issues you get with cheap entry level, especially if you know the feeling of a real car shifting it’s weight. Bought a CSL DD the other month and not even set it up yet, but have got the bug back again and can’t wait to feel the difference and hopefully enjoy Sim racing again. So my point is to anyone, don’t bother with entry level just because it’s affordable. If you are fast and take it seriously get a DD setup straight away and you will definitely appreciate spending that bit extra. You can really lose the passion by using gear that’s just not good enough.

[@paulvanzyl2385]

I've got a G920 wheel which I race on a lot. My dad recently got a Moza r8 and I have to say that I am indeed more consistant on that wheel than my G920 and consistancy made me faster so I would agree that a better wheel can make you faster over time. But I will still say I'd rather start with a G920 than a DD wheel just because of the price. Don't want to pay an insane amount of money on a hobby that you find out you dont enjoy.

[@LeeSurber]

I've been sim racing seriously since the NASCAR Racing days..!! All the points you make are spot on..!! All the different sims definitely have strengths and weaknesses..!! I think you really need to drive a real racecar around the track to best understand..!! To me the biggest thing is getting track & seat time to sharpen your timing..!! Being able to drive and memorize so many different tracks is also huge..!! Learning telemetry and setups is another plus..!! There are so many pros in the community now days, I can't believe it..!!

[@DiariesOfABadDriver]

Good vid Jimmy, and I agree about using the racing line in particularly. To be clear, you should absolutely have it OFF for actual multiplayer races because it can lead to be some 'target fixation' and 'main character syndrome' moments, but when you're practicing on an unfamiliar circuit for the first time I find it to be super helpful for guiding me around my first few laps.

[@icjinu]

Great video. Your positive attitude and dedication definitely have a big part in where you are today.

[@blockosstream9440]

All good advice Jimmer. I hate when people are giving someone in a lobby s..t for using raceline, let them use what they need to get faster or better still help them in practice laps. Ive actually down graded my wheel back to a g920 because an injury prevents me sitting to long so no point having a flash wheel but i still enjoy doing laps and getting it out of my system occasionally lol. Keep up the good work man

[@yorha2j525]

I’ve been playing arcade racing games and drifting in Fhorizon since the first game came out, but I only got into sim racing 5 months ago only in AC with a T300, probably the most fun I’ve ever had in my room! I just recently made the jump to Moza, it hasn’t come in yet but I’m excited for the future

[@mcr.onwheels]

Which Moza did you go with? I've been looking to upgrade from my logitech g920 👀

[@yorha2j525]

@@mcr.onwheels I got the r9 v2 and cs v2p steering wheel they’re sick! Very premium feel. doesn’t feel like a gaming controller wheel if that makes sense

[@staceybertran52]

Great points Jimmy. It is really important for people to understand you don't need 20 n-m wheel to be fast. More people need to understand the cars we race in real life. Have power steering. So you need some feeling but no wrist shattering. (See Dave Cam a few months ago.) Poor thumb.

[@josephairhart5549]

Just started Sim racing yesterday with G29, Amazon brand fold up racing seat, PS5, PSVR2 and of course GT7. And I’m loving it, having a blast. Wish I could have gotten into it earlier but did not have the funds.

[@finkylinky]

My 2 cents on cost is to build a wooden rig. Get the diy shop to cut all your lengths (preparation and square cuts are key) and it's just a case of screwing and glueing it together. Loads if good guides online. Throw in a real car seat from a scrap yard that you can adjust and you are away (be aware that many car seats are not totally straightforward to mount, but with a wood rig you have all the adaptability in the world).

[@moreproblematic]

The only thing that I think is important to remember is that not all junkyards are cheap and the condition of interior can vary insanely wildly by climate. Before I decided to just throw money at my rig I did check out my local junkyard and the individual seats were ~$90 and sliders were another $10-12. To top it off, I live in a very wet climate, and so on top of them being frankly expensive they were frequently moldy or waterlogged since the doors and/or windows are frequently left open all year. And that's assuming someone didn't slash the shit out of it for no reason at some point. And there's biohazard cars which you don't want to accidentally end up with (At least two of them I found while I was there had someone DEFINITELY get shot in it and bled out all over the inside of them) I think when your local junkyard/marketplace has sub $50 seats and they're just in need of some moderate detailing, they're great. But it's also very good to prepare yourself to budget some money towards a seat, because for $100ish you can get some of the cheaper aftermarket seats. They won't be great, shit they might not even be good, but they'll get you in the door long enough to save for something better if you decide you like it

[@simonthebest7217]

enjoying yourself is the best advice because sometimes, when i'm playing dirt rally 2.0 and crash, i get frustrated and a few seconds later i'm on gta roblox or fortnite. Sometimes i only race for world records or competition knowing well i'm not near the best players. So thanks for reminding that i should be playing just for fun because i don't find any fun playing at the moment

[@tairunking187]

3:00 that was dark dude, that was dark..

[@dcskater180]

Here is my tip as someone getting into it. If you really want to improve it takes lots of time, in my experience shows time requires a permanent setup away from family members. I just bought a Logitech setup to pop on my desk when I want to play, I probably actually set it up one in 10 times I get the urge for many reasons. If a had the room for a permanent setup, I would probably put in a few laps almost daily. Now its every other week or so or when I need to practice for IRL trackday.

[@sirmattington4200]

solid video, I'm just getting my friends into sim racing, and they're wanting direct drive wheels etc and they have only just started! I always tell them look play the game first, then get a cheap wheel to make sure you enjoy it (like I did, I started on a 2nd hand thrustmaster t150, now on a moza) and make sure to use your assist if you need them because then your going to have fun, and thats the aim is fun!

[@Johnnyynf]

on the first point, I started with T150 pro, later got TS-PC only to sell it in couple of months The driveability for grip racing in T150 in 540-degree mode is actually good enough that convince me to sell the TS-PC Also it's a good tool to learn how to not do stupid thing with the car so you don't need fast self-rotation to compensate On topic of gears, you don't necessarily need a gaming computer to do it. Old but still very competent racing sim exist, with modern computer even thin and light (like my surface pro 8 8GB) are good enough to run title such as GTR2 and LFS even in 1440p

[@Mc1aine]

Cheers Jimmy. Still using my old Logitech Driving Force from the PS2 days. Having a broad taste in gaming, I can vouch for the sim racing community being the coolest.

[@grantlauzon5237]

I got within 10 seconds of Jimmy's Shelby Cobra Nordschleife lap time on an xbox one on controller. I now have a G923 and AC on PC but even then some of the cars were easier on controller. The Lotus F1 car challenge around Zandvoort was easier on controller because I could steer faster and I didn't need as much precision (similar to thee cobra).

[@LapKingsRacing]

I totally agree with you on the assists, had mine turned on for a while, i could not keep a car on the road without them, then one day i decided to do some drifting so i turned everything other than abs off, failed to driftt, went to sleep, the next day i got on laguna seca in an m3 - beat my record time by a fair bit on the first few laps - realised i had everything turned off except abs from the day before

[@RACECAR]

Want to add to the portion about not needing a super expensive high end wheel: Friendly reminder that for a long while, Ty Majeski was THE highest rated driver on the Oval side in iRacing..while using a very low end wheel...mounted to a rediculously short table...on a Low end Laptop (Might've been the same model I had god knows how long ago). There's a photo out there somewhere but his setup would fit right in with those ghetto rigs seen in Jimmy's Video's. Proof right there that you don't need to put yourself in debt to be quick. Anyhow, great video. Its nice to have a video like this in a time where people more and more seem to have forgotten about that "have fun" part and get way too tunnel vision about being good.

[@TheA90Supra]

When I started my sim racing addiction 4 years ago it was with a PS5 and a Logitech G29. Fast forward to present day and I'm still using the same G29 and PS5 but I'm getting on average top 10,000 in GT7. Luckily I now have adult money so I will hopefully get a Moza wheel soon and hopefully that will help me get faster.

[@lucvincentmetz8144]

I'm not an experienced proper sim racer but these are my biggest takeaways from my first week and a half of online GT7 racing: Might sound obvious but I'd say another important point is: Practice makes perfect! I've been playing all GT titles on and off since GT5 but never online. There's often times someone who'll be faster than you are. But I've won a good couple of races and online battles just by figuring out the right strategy by simlutaing a race distance in practice with race settings in advance. It might take a bit more time than just doing a handfull of laps and jumping straight in after that but if you want to be competitive it's definitely worth it. Also don't push it too hard. It's a game after all and there're no real consequences if you overcook it so it might be tempting to always brake a bit later and carry more cornering speed each lap but sooner or later you're gonna crash. In my experience most of the time it's not necessarily the fastest driver who wins but the most consistent one. So just doing it at your own pace you're comfortable with should be enough to grant you at least a halfway decent result 90% of the time.

[@samuelgarrod8327]

I agree completely with your first point. I did similar with my first DJ turntables. Bought cheap crappy decks and learnt on them, then when I got onto Technics it was a doddle.

[@stevebobowski3507]

I learnt on belt drives and when I bought my techs I realized how different the response between the 2 where and wished I would have got the direct drive techs to begin with. Wasted time and money. Learnt that lesson again when I bought logitech vs fanatec dd. Probably learn that lesson a 3rd time when I upgrade my dof h3

[@rarewhiteape]

Nice how this video covers tips 2 and 3 that are written on the whiteboard, while tip 1 is the subject of the ENTIRE video. Thanks for sharing your passion Jimmer! Been here since 50k subscribers and I’m happy to see you nearing the 1M mark 😎

[@sherman128]

Obviously bigger number doesn't mean better BUT I went from a T300 to a Moza R5 and just got an R16 last week. Honestly I felt the R5-R16 was a bigger jump in ffb quality, feel, immersion and fun than the T300 to R5. I run them at roughly the same strength but you just get more detail and more fun. Definitely agree that if you're unsure you should go cheap and used though.

[@lechill6920]

Interesting about the use of the racing line assist. My brother uses it and I don’t. I find that when you do use the racing line, your on autopilot and not actually thinking about where you should be on the track. Driving with the racing line off forces you to concentrate that little bit more and wary of who’s around you and at what speed to gear down and gear up out the corners

[@RL-]

Agreed. I just went to Valencia for the first time and had never even seen it raced in the real world before. I watched an onboard video but I couldn't really pick up much from that, so I put the line on to get a rough idea of what was going on, and then I turned it off quicker than I normally would to find real reference points. Sure enough, I got up to speed quicker than I would autopiloting lol It might be better to just follow a single lower difficulty AI opponent around for a little while and then ramp it up when you get a feel for how the track flows though.

[@rohw0016]

Good timing on the video.. You’ve answered all my questions as I’m new to this and looking to get a setup.

[@JordanOsborne42]

Like my setup. I recently joined the sim world, started with a g29 and a basic chair. Enjoyed it, started a channel and now I have a currys ADX sim rig with chair, Cammus C5 wheel and I'm having the best time! My whole set up is around £600 and I don't think I need more

[@paddyodoors2757]

I run a c5 with logitech pedals and acx brake mod, great fun and loads of immersion. This where to start now on pc. I want a c12 now, maybe santa will visit an old man 1 more time :)

[@dazedman20]

I remember as a kid I had a wheel it was fun that was on PS2. Back in 2021 I bought another wheel and used a side table and a rocking chair as my set up…it sucked LMAO but had fun. Then I made a little wood rig and have been using that since. It’s not perfect and there are some things that need to be improved on but it’s fun! It does get hard to have fun when it’s just not your day and the anger takes over. Patience is definitely key and learn it the hard way at times…like when I broke my wheel LOL after buying the new wheel when things aren’t going well; it’s time for a break. It’s like anything practice and time. Hell I stopped playing for awhile started back up again and was like I suck. A few months later lots of tuning and watching videos adjusting and changing driving habits, I’m now doing harder difficulty better times and faster. I’ve watched a few of your videos and shorts and enjoy them!

[@ByteSizeThoughts]

one thing I recently learnt after a good 4 years of sim racing - that I quite like nascar 2003 :) It's free, has lots of mods and oval racing at the limit is actually quite stressful / fun :D

[@ajrichar0]

100% agree on driving a variety of different sims. They all do different things well. And that includes the so-called 'simcades', because they can be enormous fun AND challenging, and are a 'pick-up-and-play' option that suits a lot of time-poor people (as many of us are). Gran Turismo 7 is a very good game with acceptable physics, and its okay to enjoy it. Its equally okay to then go down a rabbit-hole and drive a completely obscure car and track combo in Assetto Corsa (PC), and again, to fly through the forests on EA WRC. Don't apologise for what you enjoy playing, as enjoyment is always number one and the reason we play.

[@butwhytharum]

2004 when Gran Turismo came out probably 2008 got my first wheel and yes used and used a makeshift chair setup. 2019 bought a newer setup but was still "used" but come to find out guy bought the one for eu power grid and thought it was defective, bought the North America power cable and its worked perfect ever since. Built my own rig out of pvc pipe with a removable car seat to not have a bulky setup taking up space all the time. Seat can also be used on its own as a chair.

[@sadmanh0]

when I started to take sim racing seriously the thing that improved my skills more than anything else is driving on slippery surfaces. It really teaches you a lot about weight distribution and maximizing tire grip.

[@polaxis842]

Starting cheap is a very good recommendation. I remember playing Live for Speed in 2004 / 2005 with a Logitech G25 and people playing with Mouse steering were driving circles around me. Very impressive.

[@Lyzionix]

Point 2 was soooooooo wholesome to hear! And point 5... yeah, I must remind myself of that more often... way too focused on leaderboards and shit (doing mostly Rally)

[@underSTATEDexcellence]

I started with a Thrustmaster T150 and now I have Fanatec DD clubsport F1 set up and it’s insanely better then my T150. But I agree make sure your going to actually wanna sim race before buying something high end but the higher end setup will be life changing after years of budget rig usage. That doesn’t mean your going to be faster that comes with skill but just the feel is undeniably better. I started off with F1 on PS4 then PS5 and now I’m hooked to iRacing on PC. There are so many good options out there.

[@Freebandzdora]

Just got a whole sim rig today for free, everything brand new, very excited to jump in and learn all this

[@oneohfive6584]

I got the bug with ps1, but only bought a rig about 6yrs ago. I bought a used workstation pc, a dead stock Gpu, a thrustmaster t300 & omega stand & seat base in sales, a seat from ebay (and a can of fabreeze cause it smelled of damp) and a VR headset that someone got as a free gift with a PC and never used from eBay and an old 22’’ lcd tv I had. Total cost, £500. I upgraded everything last year as a treat to myself, and I kinda miss having to fiddle with settings to get everything to perform well because the cpu/gpu were borderline specs on the old set up, but it was a reasonable price for great immersion for 5 years.

[@raumo123]

If your gonna splurge on anything sim racing the first thing should be pedals and especially the brake pedal, load cell or hydraulic is a must imo.

[@asaruson]

On the first point. I started on a Logitech g27. Bought it used for about $400 at the time. Used it for about 3 years having a great time. I upgraded to a fanatec csl with a formula wheel and actually got slower. It took me quite a while to re adapt.

[@Goatshaver]

I just bought my first wheel and a simple frame (great deal used, basically got the frame for free). After playing just the trials in IRacing, I'm definitely hooked and looking forward to playing...a lot more.

[@johnnybravo9096]

I'm probably one of the only guys who still uses X and Square as accelerator and brake. TCS 3 and AT gearing. On GT sport I was able to get it to the very top splits on my fave tracks. I wasn't as fast out the corners, tyre management etc but I felt comfortable and had the ability to push and pinch a few hundreds etc. On the wheel even after a whole year, I was 2-3 seconds slower per lap and never felt fully in control, never fully consistent. It just never clicked, yet on a controller I could fully place my car where I wanted it.

[@AdrianTheEighth]

Really needed to hear this today, Jimmy. Thank you. 💙

[@vfrmaverick]

I want to add one more part to the driving assist point. Been sim racing since 2009. If youre fresh into the scene and dibbling around i always recomend staying in a car as fast as you can think and react. Too many people just want to jump in an f1 car and go. If you just want to mess about and have fun do that. But if you really want to learn being quick and car control a slow car with no assists will be a more valuable tool. IMHO this is why those AC lobbies (you know them, spa and monza f1) are such chaos. Those arent cars most people can just jump in, and worse even if you dont have a track dedicated setup that you can drive. Trust me you and everyone else will have more fun sticking to where you can push yourself and be in control. I think iracing does a good job at this, but their payment model detracts me from moving up categories as much.

[@therealf.b.i9468]

7:24 this is true and that is what i told others people too, you need to drive different sim and swap it often so you learn more and adapt quicker especially in real life

[@sim-racing5843]

Could not have said it better Jimmy. I see a lot of new guys want the best gear for selling it some time later because of lack of time. I suck at racing, when I race online I know I will be last... but I don't care. I enjoy the drive and mostly I just race against AI on my own level. I don't have much time to play , so I don't have what it takes to become 'good'. But I enjoy myself like crazy :-).

[@hunterdanton3752]

Bought my used logitech wheel 6 years ago and it’s still going strong, was a great way to get into sim racing before getting the dd setup i have now.

[@tgshadow9856]

4:22 Bout to sub Js for the undercover brother clip cuz WHAT U KNO BOUT THAT!!!😆

[@Das_Fruddster]

I use the line because I have aphantasia, so I physically can not visually remember circuits. I find that if I've been to a track IRL, it's easier to learn for some reason, but without the kine it's still very tricky. Working a 42.5+ hour week also makes it hard as finding time to practice is almost impossible.

[@hadorstapa]

Love this video. Permission to have fun. And when I'm not on F1 '23 or iRacing, I often put in a few cheeky races on Mario Kart Tour on iPad.

[@MapleCanadianReaper]

For me, it's knowing that there will always be someone better than you. Unless you are in a situation where you are being paid to race, and chase that perfection. Just chill out.

[@wrathofbod]

untill recently i had a 22-inch screen, and basic wheel, loved sim racing for at least 12 years, but now run triple 27-inch screens with g920 and H shifter, and mainly drive classic cars with most of my sim games. going from single screen to triple is amazing.i have a really good pc set up, i have issues with some sims setting up 3 screens but love the drive, 2 screens really makes me feel im in the car

[@naybother4430]

Play how you want to play be it time trialling, sprint races, endurance races. Just have fun

[@FoxRob93]

Great video Jimmy, it is a reminder for some of us who have been doing it a while too.

[@gfunkenator7125]

My sim setup was the Logitech Driving Force Pro and GT6. Since that wheel lost proper Windows 10 support I couldn't use it for Forza 6 so I switched to the Dualshock 3. Then I got the G923 and raced in Forza 7 which was great until I buckled and bought a PS5 just for GT7. Now I have the G923 on a WheelStand 2.0 with my PS5 and PSVR2. I have a regular office chair that is semi-mounted to the frame. That is my dedicated race sim rig now.

[@everydayjustme]

Dark ages, my 13-year-old self, painting my cars and playing F1-Challenge online with a keyboard, and thinking I could be an F1 driver someday. After that a crappy wheel, some more F1 Challenge, and some championship attempts. Now the 33-year-old me really enjoys my G29, iRacing, and some really good fun. What a time to be alive.

[@Gh0stPred]

The asking for help is like a double edge sword though. There are loads of people who will help you most likely for a cost or people who basically go no your bad get good.... That's what I've seen in my personal opinion

[@Very_Grumpy_Cat]

For a cost. Damm

[@MatthewRunyon-n4g]

For me, I got much more serious about sim racing when I got a DD Wheel. I started with a Logitech Driving Force Pro, then a G29 after that, and it never really felt that nice to me. It wasn't till I got a DD that it all suddenly clicked. Thankfully DD wheels are getting cheaper, because I really believe it's far superior and gives you that sense of connection to the car. Same goes for Load Cell Brake. I do think it's important to understand that getting better with sim racing takes time and you shouldn't try to be the best right away, racing isn't always about being in first, sometimes it's just about strategy and being consistent. If you're constantly pushing too hard and not being consistent you'll probably crash your way out of the championship. Also, definitely don't feel the need to limit yourself to one sim. I fell into a trap of trying to only play the most 'realistic' sim and no sim get's everything right. All the different sims, even Forza and GT7 have simulation value, and lots of pro drivers have different perspectives on what sim feels right to them, so don't get lost in that argument. Experience what the different sims have to offer, drive what you like.

[@SentientMicrowaveFightClub]

In this sort of vibe, I would like to suggest that you review the pros and cons of the cars included with the initial Iracing membership. (Right now the simmiest thing I can do is play BeamNG with an XB1 controller) Love the content and hope for more on the Sim Jim mint miata.

[@tomMlem]

5:09 I remember when I first started doing iRacing i thought I was doing pretty well but I kept making mistakes/spin out while being under pressure from behind. So I would hope onto practice server with a handful of people it and just ask if anybody wants to race me for practice and I've improved so so much from it

[@Geth-Android]

Prioritise getting through lap 1 cleanly. In my current season in ACC I've not qualified higher than 12th. And yet in the races I've placed: 26th, 8th, 6th, 5th, and 3rd. The 26th place one was my one bad race where I was involved in a couple of incidents. Sometimes a rubbish driver will make a move on you that is absolutely not on. Sometimes you're better to let them through and live to fight another lap. I passed a guy down the back straight at Misano, his ego couldn't handle it and he divebombed me in the final turn from a mile away and went through the gravel on the exit as I saw him coming and turned right mid corner to avoid being taken out, severely compromising my exit and costing me two places from cars behind. This guy was faster than me and caught back up. Given his erratic driving I let him through and what do you know 2 laps later he took out the two cars from before that he cost me places from and I moved up 3 places.

[@adamthompson8432]

I use the diving line for braking zones and I don’t mean I follow the braking zone set by iracing. Picture them as cones or picture them like a banner on the wall. I count how many red arrows there are and find which one is the perfect spot to start braking. Again don’t follow iracing’s recommendation, figure it out yourself. So I may figure out the 5th red arrow is where I really want to brake and then I use the 5th red arrow. Just like if they were cones you’d know “hey I want to brake at the 5th cone. It just allows me to hit the exact braking zone every time. Once I learn the track the driving line goes off.

[@Astroman10]

Thanks for the video Jimmer! You are a really great guy!

[@frankdeak2397]

Having a controller for so long. I’ve spent hours trying to beat my controller times with my wheel setup. It’s amazing how fast I was. I’ve beat most now but point is control. No matter what instrument you use